Matthew 6:14 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:14 mean?

Matthew 6:14 says that if you forgive other people when they do wrong to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. The verse connects how you treat others with how God responds to you, especially in the matter of forgiveness.

Jesus is speaking these words to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching them about prayer and how to live in a way that pleases God. This verse comes right after the Lord’s Prayer and highlights the importance of forgiving others as a key part of a relationship with God.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:14

• ἀφῆτε (aphēte, "forgive"): This word means to let go, release, or pardon. In this context, it is about letting go of wrongs others have done to you, not holding them against people.
• παραπτώματα (paraptōmata, "trespasses"): This word refers to missteps, faults, or wrongdoings. It covers a range of offenses, not just serious sins, but any way someone might hurt or wrong another.
• οὐράνιος (ouranios, "heavenly"): This word emphasizes that the Father being spoken of is not earthly but is God in heaven, highlighting His authority and perspective.
• καί (kai, "also"): This word links your action (forgiving others) directly to God’s action (forgiving you), showing a clear connection between the two.

Why Matthew 6:14 matters

• Matthew 6:14 clears up the idea that forgiveness is only a private matter between a person and God; Jesus ties it directly to how we treat others.
• The verse emphasizes that forgiveness is not optional in the life of someone who wants God’s forgiveness, making it a central part of Jesus’ teaching on prayer and daily living.
• By placing this right after the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus shows that forgiveness is not just a one-time act but a regular, ongoing part of a believer’s relationship with God and others.